Shoulder to Shoulder with Ukraine After 3 Years of War

The Netherlands stands alongside Ukraine in the fight for freedom and security. These are the words of the Chief of Defence (CDS) General Onno Eichelsheim. He spoke today in The Hague during the memorial concert of the Royal Military Band Johan Willem Friso. They performed together with Ukrainian-Dutch soloist Oleg Lysenko. The event was intended to commemorate the large-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, exactly 3 years ago.

Eichelsheim: "We realize that a safe Europe is not a given and must be fought for. We cannot leave that struggle to Ukraine alone."

Putin thought he would win this war in 3 days, but the Ukrainians are still standing, praised Eichelsheim the perseverance of the people and the military. The CDS said that Defence will continue to support the country where possible, so that Ukraine can continue to fight for a free future.

Defence supports Ukraine with equipment and many dozens of training sessions. In addition, the Royal Marechaussee has conducted multiple investigations into war crimes in Ukraine. Defence also provides medical assistance. For instance, Ukrainian soldier Illia was helped. He lost both legs due to a grenade. Illia is rehabilitating in Doorn. With a prosthesis, he is learning to walk again.

The collaboration with Ukrainians touches Dutch soldiers. They are deeply motivated to provide them with valuable lessons and training.

“I want to be able to look myself straight in the mirror knowing that I did everything for these men.” Thus quoted Eichelsheim marine instructor Roel.

Colleague soldier and instructor Rutger even had a text tattooed on his body out of loyalty to his Ukrainian ‘brothers in arms’. With the text: ‘brât’, the Ukrainian word for brothers, as Eichelsheim knows.

The war also provides valuable lessons for the Dutch armed forces, the general stated. He quotes Sergeant Thies, who also trained Ukrainians:

"They sometimes tell us that certain procedures do not work. They have experienced that after sustaining injuries."

Eichelsheim emphasized that freedom is not only the absence of war but also the absence of daily threat and sustainable security:

In the Netherlands, we wake up every day with that freedom, while you in Ukraine fight for that freedom day and night. We stand beside you.

During the concert, the visitor was taken through 3 years of conflict in Ukraine. With both sad, dignified, and powerful music, Defence and the municipality of The Hague want to give Ukrainians around the world a boost.